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Venezuela extends state of emergency to new areas along border with Colombia

Xinhua, October 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency on Friday in four municipalities in the western state of Tachira, as part of "actions to eradicate criminal acts" along the Colombian border.

The decision was prompted by the "extraordinary circumstances affecting socioeconomic order and social peace" and concerns the jurisdiction of Panamericano, Lobatera, Ayacucho and Garcia de Hevia, says the government's official gazette.

The decree authorizes operations by special security forces while prohibiting public gatherings and the carrying of weapons.

On Monday, a state of emergency was declared in Altares in the southern state of Amazonas, also along the Colombian border.

The Venezuela-Colombia border crisis erupted on Aug. 19 when three Venezuelan army officers were wounded by suspected paramilitary gunmen operating in Colombia.

After the incident, Venezuela closed major border crossings and deported over 1,000 Colombians, with another 5,000 leaving voluntarily, in a bid to fight crime and a thriving cross-border smuggling trade, according to the Venezuelan government.

Since the state of emergency was first activated along the border, Venezuela has captured 36 paramilitary personnel, who were accused of trying to destabilize Venezuela. Endi